On Wednesday, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter Szijjarto, underscored Morocco ‘s crucial role as a responsible player and a key partner for Hungary in promoting peace and stability in both the region and Africa. The minister praised Morocco’s significant contributions to fostering cooperation and maintaining a positive influence on the geopolitical landscape.

During a joint press conference with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, Hungary’s Foreign Minister highlighted the Kingdom’s responsible policy in combating irregular migration.

Szijjarto emphasized Morocco’s unequivocal and resolute stance against terrorism, recognizing it as a factor contributing to illegal migration.

Emphasizing the interdependence of stability and peace between Africa and Europe, the Hungarian minister underscored Morocco’s pivotal role as a key partner for the European Union in ensuring peace and security.

He conveyed Hungary’s appreciation to Morocco for its dedicated efforts in combatting irregular migratory flows.

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Brussels – Morocco and the European Union (EU) have agreed to continue their cooperation as provided for in the Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries, which “remains in force”, in order to deepen their bilateral partnership.

“Morocco and the European Union have agreed to continue their cooperation as provided for in the Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries, which remains in force, in order to deepen the bilateral partnership on key issues such as scientific campaigns, technical cooperation, the fight against illegal fishing, the economic integration of operators, safety at sea and the improvement of working conditions and the protection of seafarers,” reads a joint press release issued at the end of the 5th meeting of the Joint Commission in charge of monitoring the Agreement, held on Thursday in Brussels.

The meeting, which was held in accordance with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Morocco and the European Union, gave participants the chance to evaluate the Fisheries Protocol’s four years of implementation, which ended on July 17 in accordance with its Article 16 deadline, according to the same source.

During this event, Morocco and the EU congratulated one another on their model cooperation, which has under all circumstances permitted the operation of artisanal and industrial vessels, the transparent and strict management of the Protocol, and the ongoing scientific monitoring of the condition of fisheries resources.

the excellent state of progress of the projects for the development of the fisheries sector in Morocco, highlighting the positive socio-economic impact on the sector, on small-scale fishing, on sustainable aquaculture for the benefit of young entrepreneurs and fishermen’s cooperatives, as well as on job creation, training, and research. In particular, the parties welcomed the satisfactory implementation of the Fisheries Agreement and its Protocol in its various dimensions, in particular the excellent state of progress of the projects for the development of the fisheries sector in Morocco.

According to the Protocol’s provisions, these projects may continue after its expiration, the joint press statement states.

Read Also: EU Reaffirms ‘Utmost Importance’ of Fisheries Partnership with Morocco, ‘Essential Interest’ in its Continuation

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Brussels – Morocco and the European Union (EU) have announced, on Thursday in Brussels, that they will continue scientific cooperation with the “common objective of ensuring the sustainability” of fisheries resources in the region.

“Morocco and the EU have taken note of the recommendations contained in the report of the Joint Scientific Committee, which met last June. In this context, they will continue their scientific cooperation with the common objective of ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources in the region,” reads a joint press release issued at the end of the 5th meeting of the Joint Commission responsible for monitoring the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union.

The Fisheries Protocol of July 18, 2019, which expires on July 17, in accordance with its Article 16, was given an overall evaluation during this meeting. It was emphasized that the same source.

On this occasion, Morocco and the EU expressed their appreciation for their model cooperation, which has made it possible for both artisanal and industrial vessels to operate in all conditions, for the Protocol to be managed rigorously and transparently, and for ongoing scientific monitoring of the condition of fisheries resources.

The joint statement noted that the parties specifically welcomed the satisfactory implementation of the Fisheries Agreement and its Protocol in all of its various dimensions, particularly the excellent state of progress of the projects for the development of the Moroccan fisheries sector. It also noted that these projects could continue after the expiration of the Protocol as provided for therein.

Nasser Bourita, the minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, stated at a press conference following the third ministerial meeting of the Atlantic African States Process on Wednesday that the government is considering scientific data when evaluating the Fisheries Agreement in order to protect this valuable natural resource for Morocco and Moroccans and to ensure its sustainability.

Read Also: Marhaba Operation: Nearly 420,000 people entered Morocco in the first month

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The Council of the European Union (EU) agreed on Wednesday on a negotiating mandate for the digitization and unification of the Schengen visa procedure.

The ambassadors of the Member States agreed on the negotiating mandate to digitize the visa procedure, the EU Council said in a statement, noting that the proposal “introduces the possibility of applying for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa”.

This initiative aims “to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve the security of the Schengen area,” the statement said, adding that the proposed new rules will create a unified platform for visa applications.

Under the proposal, all Schengen visa applications “will be submitted through this platform, a single website, which will transmit them to the relevant national systems”, the Council said, adding that visa applicants will be able to enter all relevant data, upload electronic copies of their travel documents and supporting documents and pay their visa fees on this platform.

Applicants, who will also be informed via the platform of decisions on their visa, will only have to go to the consulate in person if they are applying for a visa for the first time if their biometric data are no longer valid, or if they have acquired a new travel document.

“A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travelers to apply for a visa and at the same time help make the Schengen area more secure,” said Swedish Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council.

Under the proposed new rules, visas will be issued in digital format, in the form of a cryptographically signed 2D barcode. According to Maria Malmer Stenergard, this will “eliminate the risk of forgery and theft of the visa sticker”.

The European Commission presented a legislative proposal to digitize the visa procedure last April.

Based on the negotiating mandate agreed by the EU Council, the Council Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament to reach an agreement on the final text.

Read Also: Moroccans paid €3 million for rejected EU visas in 2021

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On July 18, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the European Union and Morocco will expire, forcing the European Commission to explore for alternatives to keep its ships off the coast of the Kingdom.

The EU Court of Justice will render a final ruling on the agreement’s legality, which has been contested due to its inclusion of the nation’s southern territories, before it goes into effect in 2019.

The SFPA’s cancellation would result in approximately 128 ships carrying the flags of 10 EU Member States leaving Moroccan seas, raising serious concerns for Europe.

Contractually, the fisheries of Morocco are to the profit of Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

By the July deadline, Rabat will no longer close its waters to the European fleet, but there will be no legal framework for Morocco to issue fishing licenses to EU vessels.

Brussels is attempting to find a different course of action that upholds the agreement that 92% of the catch will come from Moroccan Saharan seas.

Luis Planas, Spain’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, has taken the initiative to draw attention to this problem by requesting that the European Union implement support measures to assist the Spanish fleet.

“We anticipate a positive judgment” We have consistently supported the agreement’s validity alongside the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, he recently said from Brussels.

Spanish MEP Idoia Villanueva of Unidas Podemos stated that “these talks are being opaque and are not taking into account the Polisario Front,” the instigator separatists who are pushing for the agreement’s annulment.

“The Commission has began working with Morocco with the objective of initiating negotiation of a new protocol as soon as legally possible, with full regard for the ongoing procedure of the European Court of Justice,” a spokesperson for the European Coalition informed the media.

The scheduled meeting to discuss the legality of the two agreements made with Morocco will be presided over by Spain.

Read Also: Good relations with Morocco benefit the border areas, says Canary Islands president

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For the crop year 2022-2023, wheat exports from the European Union are now primarily going to Morocco.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine eased the wheat market, sales to other nations have been impeded by resurgent competition in the Black Sea.

Morocco has grown to be a more significant market than normal for EU wheat due to rising import demands following a drought-plagued harvest.

According to Reuters, the nation intends to import 1.5 million more tons of soft wheat between March and May.

According to the same source, France, the largest wheat producer in the EU, has been able to sell the majority of an excess of non-EU exports estimated at just over 10 million tons thanks to consistent demand from Morocco and good sales to Algeria, China, and Egypt.

Since the middle of the season, the Black Sea has once again been a major competitor, the news agency notes.

While Russia has found markets for its record 2022 crop, Ukrainian levels are backed by a Black Sea passage during times of conflict.

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The European Union (EU) and Morocco indicated their intention to enhance their relationship on Thursday in Rabat. This came as part of the two nations’ strategic collaboration, which His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, places a high value on.

According to a statement from the department of the Head of Government, this willingness was demonstrated during conversations between Aziz Akhannouch, the Head of Government, and Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is currently visiting Morocco.

On this occasion, Akhannouch praised the development of links between the EU and the Kingdom, which helped to organize their relationship and enhance it on several fronts.

In this respect, he praised the successful outcomes of the collaboration in the fields of finance, investment, the green economy, migration, and security.

The Head of Government also commended the level of trade between the two parties, which has allowed Morocco to establish itself as the first economic and commercial partner of the European Union on the African continent. Trade between the two parties tripled in size over the course of ten years, reaching more than 45 billion euros in 2021.

Akhannouch also expressed his satisfaction with the harmony and concordance between the Moroccan government’s agenda for social and economic reforms, which is being led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God be with Him; and the support given to these initiatives by the European Union, with an eye toward the implementation of some of them in 2023.

Borrell is in Morocco on an official visit that aims to provide him the chance to have a thorough conversation on the implementation of the EU-Morocco partnership, especially how it relates to the new Mediterranean Agenda.

The long-standing alliance between Morocco and the European Union has grown in recent years and is now a model for the EU’s neighboring strategy.

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The Moroccan ambassador to the European Union, Youssef Amrani, will finally be able to take up his duties in the Belgian capital. According to our information, his accreditation has been validated by the European authorities.

Youssef Amrani, the Moroccan ambassador to the EU who was chosen by H.M. King Mohammed VI, could shortly start working in that role after the European Union confirmed his accreditation. These specific details were obtained from “Afrique Intelligence,” which disseminates them based on information gathered from European authorities.

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom to the EU, was appointed on October 18, by the Sovereign after heading the Moroccan diplomatic mission in South Africa. He succeeds Ahmed Rahhou, the current president of the Competition Council.

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Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, met with Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Monday in Budapest. 

On this occasion, the two ministers hailed Morocco and Hungary’s excellent relations while reaffirming their willingness to deepen them further through cooperation in new areas and the strengthening of dialogue on matters of mutual interest.

They also emphasized the significance of increasing the degree of economic and trade cooperation to match the perfection of the two nations’ political relations.

In this context, the two officials praised the fourth session of the Joint Economic Commission, which is set to take place in Budapest in March 2022, as well as the convening of a business conference on the sidelines of this meeting.

Mr. Szijjártó praised Morocco’s far-reaching reforms over the last two decades under the intelligent leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, while also applauding the New Development Model and the Kingdom’s pursuit of enhanced regionalization.
He also emphasized Morocco’s importance as a regional source of stability, a preferred partner for African development, and a source of progress in the area.

The Hungarian Minister also expressed his support for the efforts made only under the auspices of the United Nations in order to achieve a political, practical, pragmatic, and long-term solution to the Sahara issue based on compromise.

He also restated his country’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, which was presented to the Secretary General of the United Nations on April 11, 2007, as well as the Kingdom’s efforts to develop its southern provinces.

Morocco, a strategic partner of the European Union, plays a vital and exemplary role in the fight against illegal immigration and terrorism, according to the Hungarian minister.

Mr. Szijjártó also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the strategic partnership between Morocco and the European Union, as well as his country’s support for the Council of the European Union’s appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union against the European Court’s judgments on Morocco-EU agricultural and fisheries agreements.

In addition, the Hungarian minister reiterated his country’s support for Morocco’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council, the Human Rights Council, and the IMO Council.

This meeting also provided Bourita and Szijjártó with an opportunity to emphasize the importance of developing cooperation, partnership, and dialogue between the EU and its southern neighbors, as well as with the Euro-African region, in order to provide common responses to all challenges confronting these regions, particularly in terms of security, stability, migration, and socioeconomic and human development.

Thus, the two ministers emphasized the significance of expanding triangular collaboration between Morocco, Hungary, and their African counterparts.

Bourita and Szijjártó also welcomed the expansion of their international cooperation, particularly the holding on Tuesday in Budapest of the first V4 + Morocco Meeting, which, according to the two ministers, will mark the beginning of a political dialogue between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Visegrad Group member states (V4).

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RABAT, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Morocco’s King Mohammed gave a speech about Western Sahara on Saturday but made no mention of an Algerian accusation that Morocco targeted Algerian civilians in an incident last week that the United Nations said took place in the disputed territory.

Algeria’s accusation has raised fears of further escalation between the North African rivals after Algeria cut off diplomatic relations, stopped supplying gas to Morocco and blocked Algerian airspace to Moroccan flights.

Ties between the countries have been fractious for years, but have deteriorated since last year after the Algeria-backed Polisario Front said it was resuming its armed struggle for the independence of Western Sahara, a territory Morocco sees as its own.

King Mohammed’s silence on the dispute with Algeria in his annual speech on Western Sahara is in line with Morocco’s practice since soon after Algeria broke off ties in August in ignoring all statements coming from Algiers.

However, Algeria’s accusation on Wednesday that Morocco had killed three civilians driving in the Sahara on Monday has sharply raised the stakes.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune vowed in a statement that the death of the three men “would not go unpunished”.

Morocco has not formally responded to the accusation.

The U.N. peacekeeping force in Western Sahara, MINURSO, visited the site of the incident in territory outside Moroccan control and found two badly damaged Algerian-plated trucks, a U.N. spokesperson said on Friday. The spokesperson said MINURSO was looking into the incident.

Last year the United States recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara as part of a deal that also included Rabat bolstering ties with Israel.

Morocco has been more assertive since then in pushing European countries to follow suit. However, they have not done so and in September a European Union court said some European trade deals with Morocco were invalid because they included products originating in Western Sahara territory.

King Mohammed said on Saturday that Morocco would not agree “any economic or commercial step that excludes the Moroccan Sahara”.

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